Adjustable web feed device for label cutting and folding machines



. A. F. BARDSLEY ETAL 2,541,737 ADJUSTABLE WEB FEED DEVICE EDR LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINES Feb. 13, 1951 Filed July 14, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IFLLIIIIIIIII- Feb. 13, 1951 A. F. BARDSLEY ETALl 2,541,737

ADJUSTABLE WEB FEED DEVICE EDR LABEL.

CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINES sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1948 Ef@ uw@ Feb. 13, 1951 A. F. BARDSLEY ETAL 2,541,737

ADJUSTABLE WEB FEED DEVICE FOR LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINES I. Filed July 14, 1948 v3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j; 5 wVENToR.

Patented Feb. 13, 1951 ADJUSTABLE WEB FEED DEVICE FOR LABEL CUTTING AND FOLDING MACHINES Arthur F. Bardsley, Rocky River, and Kenneth w. Reed, East Cleveland, Ohio Application July 14, 1948, Serial No. 38,716

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in label cutting and folding machines, that is to say machines for severing fabric labels one by one from a long strip, the insignia of each label being generally woven into the strip. After a label is severed the cut edges are folded over, so that the label is then ready to be sewedto the garment to which it is to be attached. The strip of labels is supplied to the garment manufacturer in a roll which is mounted in the machine and from which the strip is fed by a crank and ratchet mechanism, or other means for imparting step by step movement.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a machine of the character stated having a minimum number of parts requiring a minimum amount of servicing.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of means for adjusting the strip feeding means during the operation of the machine.

Another object is the provision of a machine of the character stated which is adapted to handle labels of a wide range of sizes.

Another object is the provision of means for automatically interrupting the operation of the machine whenever a greater than ordinary thickness of strip material approaches the cutting knife.

Other objects and features of novelty will appear as we proceed with the description of that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, we have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end view partly in section on the lline 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view in plan of a fragment of a label strip such as the machine is adapted to handle, and

Fig. 5 is a view of a severed label with folded end edges as delivered from the machine.

In the drawings I0 refers to the side members of the machine frame which may have sritable transverse members, some of which are indicated at II, I2, I3 and I4. Brackets I5 at the rear ends of the frame side members rotatably support a shaft 9 which carries a roIl I6 of label strip material. The strip S taken from the roll I6 with its face side down passes diagonally upward over the surface of a feed roll I'I which is mounted on a shaft I8 journaled in the sides of the frame. Shaft I8 is driven clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, a partial revolution at a time by means of a crank and ratchet or overrunning clutch drive, the outer element of which is indicated at I9 and the inner element at 20. The crank is shown at 2|, connected to the outer element I9. A connecting rod-22 pivoted to the outer end of crank 2| leads down to a pivot 23 projecting from a nut 24 which is mounted to slide in a guide frame 25 that is rigidly carried on one end of a shaft 26 journaled in the side members ||l of the frame. This shaft may be driven by any suitable means as from an electric motor, not shown, as for example by means of a belt 21 running over a pulley. 28 keyed to the shaft and over a pulley, not shown, driven through reduction gearing by the motor shaft.

In the guide frame 25 there is journaled a screw shaft 30 which cooperates with nut 24 and serves to shift that nut radially inward or outw-ard as the screw is turned in one direction or the other. The throw of the crank to which connecting rod 22 is pivoted is thereby adjustable. On the outer end of screw 30 externally of the guide frame 25 there is a head 3| pinned to the screw shaft, having a series of radially projecting pins 32.

A handle 33 is pivoted at 34 to a bracket 35 mounted upon or forming part of the frame of the machine. A fork 36 is rigidly attached to the handle 33 at its pivoted end, and comprises two arms 3l which normally straddle the pins 32.\

without touching them. Handle 33 extends through the machine to the operators side thereof.A When it is swung a short distance to either side of the illustrated position one of the arms 31 is brought into position to be contacted by a pin 32 as the head 3| moves upwardly during each clockwise revolution of the crankshaft 26. In this way the screw 30 may be turned in either direction, advancing the nut 24 a very small fraction of an inch toward or away from the axis of the crankshaft. Swinging the handle 33 back to the illustrated position caf-'ses the arms 3l to clear the pins 32 and leave the screw undisturbed on succeeding revolutions of the crankshaft.

To hold the label strip S against the surface of feed roll Il and give the latter proper traction against the strip, we cause a roller 39 to run upon the strip over the top of the feed roll. Roller 39 is mounted upon the free ends of a pair of bars 40 which may be joined by a cross brace 4|, and are mounted at their rear ends upon pivots 42 carried by the frame. By making the roller 39 sufficiently heavy it may be caused to press against the strip S with suicient force to give the roll I1 proper traction, although obviously this force may be augmented by suitable spring means if desired.

In a bracket extending inwardly from one of the bars 49 there is threaded a small screw 44 which is adjusted to clear a trigger 45 projecting downwardly froma limit switch 46 which is attached to the frame member I9 by any suitable means. In the event that a thickness in thevstrip material is greater than the regular thickness of the strip, for example a splice especially where the two parts are pinned together, the roller 39 will rise sufficiently to cause screw 44 to trip trigger 45, opening the limit switch.

With the motor circuit passing through switch 46 therefore. the machine will immediately stop and the obstruction in the strip which might otherwise cause harm to the shearing knife or the folders may be removed and the machine' restarted. The restarting is effected by means of a button 41 projecting upwardly from the housing of switch 46. Depressing this button closes the switch and sets the trigger 45.

The strip S after passing between feed roll I1 and traction roller 39 is pushed forwardly over a plate 48 flush with the top of roll I1. It then travels over a narrow plate 59 flush with plate 48 and carried by frame member I4 and a stationary knife blade 49 onto a plate 5| fiush with plates ond narrow plate 52 carried by frame member I3. Plate 5| forms part of a transversely slidable table, being attached to a panel 53 provided with tongues 54 along its side edges which take into correspondingly shaped grooves in the frame members I3 and I4, whereby the table 5|, 53 is slidably guided for movement transverse to the path of movement of strip S.

Narrow plates 59 and 52 extend transversely beyond the main frame of the machine, where they are provided with curved overhanging edge folders 54 of more or less conventional form. In a pair of frame brackets 55 and 56 there is rotatably mounted a shaft 51 which carries a pair of pressing rollers 58 that are disposed in the same vertical planes with the outer ends of folders 54. On one end of shaft 51 there is a pulley 59 (see Fig. 2) over which runs belt 69 that extends down and around a pulley 6| on a shaft 62 that is journaled in bearings carried by brackets extending outwardly from the frame of the machine. Idler rollers 63 on a shaft 64 are positioned directly above rollers 58, shaft 64 being rotatably mounted in the outer ends of a pair of arms 65 arranged to swing on pivots 66 mounted on the frame. Arms 65 are strongly biased downward by tension springs 61.

19 is an L-shaped bracket carried by the frame and having a bearing for a trunnion 1| which carries a shearing arm 12 upon which is mounted a cutting blade 13 that cooperates with an edge of the fixed blade 49 for severing the foremost label from the strip S. An operating rod 14 extends downwardly from the arm 12 loosely through a hole in a frame projection 15 down to a pivot 16 carried by a triangular plate 11 which is pivoted at 18 to the frame and carries a roller 89 that runs upon a cam 8| fixed to camshaft 26. Between projection 15 and a collar 82 pinned to the rod there is a coil spring 83 which irnparts a downward motion to the rod and a shearing action to blade 13 whenever the low spot of cam 8| engages follower 80. The movable blade is held in cutting relation with the fixed blade by a spring 85 which bears at one end against 48 and 59, and over that plate onto a secbracket 19 and at the other end against an adjusting nut 86 mounted on the threaded end `of trunnion 1| and held in adjusted position by means of a. lock nut 81; I

Provision is made for clamping the end label of the strip to the transversely movable table 5|, 53. This clamping means may include two side members 99, each of which has a top flange 9|, a pair of inwardly extending ears 92 and a short bottom flange 93, the latter being secured to the table by screws or the like 94.k In the ears 92 and flange 9| of each of these side members 99 posts are slidably mounted, and fixed to the:

posts there is a cross bar 96. At the lower ends of each pair of posts 95 there is a clamping shoe 91 biased downardly by the compression springs 98 surrounding the posts between the arms 92 and the shoe 91. These springs tend to depress the lshoes into clamping position. A rock shaft |99 is rotatably mounted in the two members 99. It carries a pair of cams |9| each having a fiat surface |92, the cams being disposed beneath the cross bars 96. When the circular surfaces of the cams engage the cross bars 96 thevlatter are raised against the action of springs 98. When the cams are turned however to cause the flats |92 to engage the cross bars the latter are lowered and the clamping shoes are depressed by the springs 98. A hub |93 is pinned to shaft |99, and from this hub `an operating pin |94 extends radially.

The transversely movable table is operated by means of a pair of links |95, a lever |96 pivoted to the frame at |91 and a roller follower |98 running upon a cam |99 fixed to shaft 62. To the lower end of lever |96 beneath its pivot |91 there is attached a tension spring I9, the opposite end of which is attached to the frame. Spring ||9 moves the table outwardly, while cam |99 returns it to initial position.

On shaft 62 there is a second cam cooperating with a follower ||2 on the lower arm of a lever ||3 pivoted to the frame at II4. Follower ||2 is held against the cam by tension spring 99 attached at its ends to the frame and to lever I3. The upper end of that lever is pivotally connected to a slidebar |I5 which runs in a guide IIB on bracket 19. Bar I I5 carries two pins ||1 and ||8 which are adapted to engage pin |94 to throw it from clamping to unclamping position and vice versa.

Shaft 62 is driven from shaft 26 by means of spiral gears ||9 and |29 of equal size. In order toput a braking action upon roll I6 and keep it from unwinding faster than required by the feed roll, we employ a roller |2| bearing on the surface of roll I6, roller |2| being keyed to a shaft |22 which is carried in a pair of swingable arms |23. To prevent roller I2| from turning freely and keep the strip S under slight tension there is fixed to shaft I 22 a wheel |24 over which extends a brake band |25 that is maintained under tension by a coil spring |26.

Operation-For each revolution of the crankshaft 26 the feed roll |1 will be driven forward through a certain angle, and in cooperation with thetraction roller 39 will feed the strip S forward a distance equal to the distance between cuts, this distance being indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 4. At the time the feed takes place the table 5|, 53 is in its initial position illustrated in Fig. 3, the knife 13 is tilted upwardly out of the way and the clamping shoes 91 are raised. The forward end of the strip S therefore readily slides over the table to the position which it should occupy when the knife descends. Cam and spring 99 then function to pull slide bar ||5 to the right. as viewed in Fig. 3, causing the pin ||1 to swing pin |04 over center to bring the fiat part |02 of cams |03 into position under cross bars 98, when the shoes 91 are forced down into clamping position by the springs 98. The forwardmost label of the strip S is thereby clamped to the table somewhat inwardly of the end edges of the label. Cam 8| and spring 83 then function to draw the shearing knife down, severing the end labzl from the strip. Immediately after the cut is made the low spot of-cam |09 runs under follower |08 and spring ||0 rocks lever |06 to the right as viewedin Fig. 3. The severed label is thereby shifted transversely and its edges are turned` over by the folding cams 54. The movement of the table continues until the folded edges of the label pass into the bite of the press rollers 58, 63 which operate under appreciable pressure to crease the folds. If desired one or both of the rollers 58 and 83 of each pair may be heated electrically or otherwise, but inasmuch as such means forms no part of the present invention it is not illustrated in the drawings. As soon as the label edges are gripped by the pressing rollers, pin |04 strikes pin ||8 on bar ||5 and the cams |03 are turned to the Fig. 3 position, thereby unclamping the severed label, which is then drawn off the table by the pressing rollers at the same time that they impart the desired creases to the folds. At about that time the follower |08 on lever |08 rides out of the low spot of cam |09 onto the high portion of the cam, which swings lever |06 toward the left and thereby returns the table 5|, 53 to its initial position in preparation for the next cycle of the machine.

As the operation of the machine progresses, if the length of the individual labels should vary somewhat the operator by manipulation of handle 82 may readily change the throw of the adjustable crank on crankshaft 28 to increase or decrease the length of feed by a small fraction of an inch, when the handle is again returned t its intermediate position. If at any time a splice in the strip thick enough to interfere with the proper operation of the machine rides under the traction wheel 88, adjustable screw 4I operates trigger 45 te open the limit switch and stop the motor. The operator then removes the pin by which the strip ends are held together, takes out the small length of strip in advance of the splice and draws forward the new length into proper position, after which he depresses pushbutton 41 to again start the motor and reset the limit switch.

The width of the side roller |1 is suilicient to accommodate a label strip of maximum width. In every case the left edge of the strip, facing forwardly in the direction of travel, is disposed as shown in Fig. 2. The transverse travel of the table I8, 8| is sumcient to cause the left edge of the severed label to pass through the folders and enter the bite of the pressing rollers 88, 88. Whatever the width of the strip may be its cut edges are thus completely folded and pressed and kit is drawn of! the table and delivered at the ddee! the machine.

The dimensions of plates 5| and 52 in the dlrection of feed are selected for a label strip having labels of a given length. For labels of a longer length this dimension of plate 5| is increased and that of plate 52 is correspondingly decreased. For labels of shorter length the same dimension of length 5| is decreased and that of plate 52 increased. By means of this simple change along with the required change in the drive of the feed roller labels of a wide range of sizes may be handled.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a frame, oscillatable means arranged when moving on the forward stroke to advance a strip, the return stroke being idle, a power driven rotary crank, a connecting rod pivoted to said crank and to said oscillatable means, screw and nut means for varying the effective length of said crank, the screw of said screw and nut means having outwardly extending projections. and means on said frame settable into the path of said projections on either side of said screw.-v

adapted to engage said projections whereby the length of feed may be adjusted during operation of the machine.

2. In a machine of the `character stated, a frame, strip feeding means carried by said frame comprising an intermittently acting feed roller, a ratchet drive for said roller having an operating arm, a connecting rod pivoted to said arm, a power driven rotating crank pivoted to the opposite end of said rod, screw and nut means for varying the effective length of said crank, the

screw of said screw and nut means having out-y wardly extending projections, and means on said frame settable into the path of said projections on either side of said screw for imparting a partial rotation to said screw in either direction, whereby the length of feed may be increased or decreased during operation of the machine.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the said screw has a head and said projections consist of pins extending radially from said head and said settable means comprises two arms straddling the path of said head and shiftable to cause either arm to move into the path of said pins for engagement with a pin as the crank revolves.

ARTHUR F. BARDSLEY. KENNETH W. REED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 88 nle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 954,751 Mann Apr. 12, 1910 o 1,030,183 Inman June 18,-1912 1,523,848 White Jan. 20, 1925 1,701,861 Niblack Feb. 12, 1929 1,717,917 Caprioli June 18, 1920 1,958,096 Piepenbring et al. May 8, 1934 2,133,503 Ferenci Oct. 18, 1938 2,145,638 Young Jan. 31, 1939 2,196,741 Schubert Apr. 9, 1940 2,389,929 Paulsen Nov. 27, 1945 

